Darwin will host a major tourism convention in August, drawing hundreds of travel agents from across Asia at a time when the Australian industry has been hit by bushfires and the coronavirus. Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham says 300 qualified "Aussie Specialist travel agents" will descend on Australia's Top End for the Corroboree Asia event in 2020. He said it is an important event which will see 100 Australian tourism businesses meet with travel sellers from key Asian markets. "Australia's proximity to Asia combined with a growing middle class across the region and increasingly competitive airfares has helped to fuel much of the growth in international arrivals and spend to Australia in recent years," Senator Birmingham said in a statement on Saturday. "Qualified Aussie specialist agents from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore will take part in training workshops and first-hand experiences to boost their knowledge so they can best sell Australia to their customers." Acting NT Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture Eva Lawler said her government, like the federal government, is working intensely to minimise the impacts of the bushfires and the coronavirus outbreak. "Securing Corroboree Asia in Darwin this year will be a major coup for the Territory, as it is the first time the Northern Territory will be showcased to all Asian regions at once," she said Australian Associated Press

He said it is an important event which will see 100 Australian tourism businesses meet with travel sellers from key Asian markets.

"Australia's proximity to Asia combined with a growing middle class across the region and increasingly competitive airfares has helped to fuel much of the growth in international arrivals and spend to Australia in recent years," Senator Birmingham said in a statement on Saturday.

"Qualified Aussie specialist agents from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore will take part in training workshops and first-hand experiences to boost their knowledge so they can best sell Australia to their customers."

Acting NT Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture Eva Lawler said her government, like the federal government, is working intensely to minimise the impacts of the bushfires and the coronavirus outbreak.

"Securing Corroboree Asia in Darwin this year will be a major coup for the Territory, as it is the first time the Northern Territory will be showcased to all Asian regions at once," she said